This document outlines best practices for networking that were presented at the Affiliate Summit East 2014 conference. The presenters discussed the importance of networking for business and employment opportunities. They emphasized active listening, making eye contact, exchanging contact information, and following up after meeting new contacts. Tips included preparing an elevator pitch, practicing introductions, giving genuine compliments, and maintaining connections over time through social media and other follow ups. The presenters also hosted a live networking activity and encouraged attendees to utilize additional online resources for effective networking techniques.
Getting the Most Out of Networking: Best Practices Revealed
1. Affiliate Summit East 2014
Getting the Most of Out Networking:
Best Practices Revealed
Tricia Meyer, Sunshine Rewards (@sunshinetricia)
Eric Nagel, FMTC (@ericnagel)
Vanessa Branco, Versa9 (@VanBranc)
2. Agenda
• Introductions
• What is Networking?
• Networking Jump Start
• Who, Where, And Why?
• How You Can Start Now
• Audience Questions
3. What is Networking?
• The exchange of information or services among
individuals, groups, or institutions; specifically:
the cultivation of productive relationships for
employment or business (Merriam-Webster)
• Includes: place of employment, kids’ schools and
groups, social clubs, sports, neighborhood,
alumni, business events, civic groups, church,
HOA, rotary clubs and even the people you meet
in elevators, lines, and bathrooms
4. Consider This
• 55% of messages received and processed
by your brain are based on body language
• 38% are based on the tone of voice
• Only 7% is verbal
Source: accuconference.com, Albert Mehrabian
6. Let’s Network!
• Find someone near you that you don’t know RIGHT
NOW
• Ask them at least TWO of these questions?
– Where are you from?
– Have you done anything fun in New York?
– Is it your first time here?
– Why are you here?
7. Let’s Network!
• Get to know your neighbor
• Exchange contact information
• What are they doing the rest of the
conference?
12. Pre-Networking Tips
• Join Facebook Groups and Follow Twitter
hashtags
– Find out who you might meet
– Research what they do
– Possibly reach out about meeting
13. Pre-Networking Tips
• Prepare your own Elevator Pitch
– “So, what do you do?”
• People don't want to know what you do, they want
to know what problems you solve.
• Make them care
– “What can you do for me?”
• Leave them wanting more
– Practice, practice, practice
14. Networking Tips
• Make eye contact, firm handshake
• Talk less, listen more
• Good hygiene, good posture
• Strong versus pointless introductions
• Give genuine compliments
• Keep business cards and pen handy
• Make introductions to others
15. Follow Up Tips
• Connect via email, LinkedIn, Twitter, etc.
• Send thank you cards
• Maintain the connection
• Share their “stuff” (repin, RT, “like”)
• Birthday eCards
• LinkedIn Endorsements
16. 30 Things You Need to Do Now
Go to: http://bit.ly/ase14-networking
• Find 30 things you can be doing to become a
more effective networker
• Spread the link to anyone you know who could
use some networking help
• Respond to us with your favorite networking tips
@SunshineTricia
@EricNagel
@VanBranc